Chumash indians' tomols

In school I have been learning about Chumash indians. We have groups of things the Chumash had of did. I was assigned in tomols, we will precent and have questions and have them answered on our trifold. I want to share my questions with you and answer them too.


Question # 1 How were the tomols made?
Tomols were made from long thick strips of wood. Yop was hardened into asphalt. After the glue dried the plank was fastened by drilling holes on the side of the seam and tying the planks together with fiber string. Then the holes were filled with hot yop and decorated with mud, leaves, berries and other materials.

Question # 2 Who made the tomols?
Only the greatest craftsmen could make the tomols. Girls weren't ever allowed make the tomols but they were able to give advice of find materials the men needed.

Question # 3 What were the tomols used for?
The Chumash tomols were used for visiting friends in different villages and fishing deep out into sea. On every last day of the month the Chumash would have a big feast/dance. The men would need food to have at the big feast. The would find sharks and dolphins for the feast, the Chumash would use all the parts of the shark and dolphin to use for other things, for example, Chumash men would save the shark's skin for sanding the tomols. The tomols were used for many different things.

Question # 4 How large were the tomols?
The tomols were about 8 to 30 feet long. The typical plank canoe held a crew of 3 people Large canoes held up to 10 people. One member of the crew would act as a bailer because some seawater would seep into the Chumash Tomol. Sometimes a young boy would serve as a bailer. Some canoes can be enormous.